What The Giant Panda’s Amazing Comeback Teaches Us About Conservation

Close your eyes, and imagine, if you will, the one animal that symbolizes the plight of endangered species across the globe. Did you see a panda? If so, it’s no surprise, because 1) you clicked on an article about pandas, and 2) the iconic bear has been a symbol of the world’s fight against extinction for well over fifty years. Last month, the IUCN announced that dedicated conservation efforts have proven effective; the giant panda is no longer listed as endangered (it’s currently “vulnerable”). This is a huge victory for an animal that, in some circles, continues to be inappropriately criticized as “relic species.”

In light of this incredible news — and to continue conversation about a subject which is both complicated and nuanced — we set out to unpack just how a species once clinging to the brink of existence is now, if not thriving exactly, in the midst of a remarkable recovery.

Seeing as they seem to understand the concept of conservation, it would be nice if they applied it globally, rather than just to their national icon. The ongoing slaughter of elephants and rhinos is still a massive issue, and quite frankly, far more important than the panda. It is bad enough that we (UK) are dilly-dallying around banning all ivory, not just post-1947, but in China there needs to be a major shift before it is too late – a point that we are heading towards rapidly.

@Abradolph Linkler Can’t tell if you didn’t read the article or are just making a joke that fell flat? Literally the point of BOTH of the panda articles. A species doesn’t survive this long because it’s not breeding. They know how to do it.

This is cool. I didn’t realize pandas were making a comeback. I thought they were still slowly dying off. Constantly hearing of them dying in the main stream media but never as much about births and definitely never as much about breeding being more successful than it was.